

Are you struggling with one or more absent teeth? You aren’t the only one. Roughly 178 million people have lost at least one tooth, whereas 40 million are missing all of their pearly whites. While this issue may be common, it doesn’t mean you have to settle for living with gaps in your smile for the rest of your life. Our team at Green Hills Dental Center can effectively restore missing teeth with custom-designed dentures in Nashville. With this treatment, you’ll be able to enjoy eating more comfortably while also showing off a beautiful new smile. Read along or reach out to our office today to learn more about this popular restoration treatment!
If you’re missing one, several, or all of your teeth, then you’re likely a good candidate for dentures in Green Hills. By renewing your smile with these restorations, you won’t have as much difficulty with daily oral tasks like talking, eating, and grinning. Since there are multiple options available to address missing pearly whites, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with our dental team so that we can help determine the proper treatment for you. We’ll check for the number of teeth needing replacements, where they’re located, and address any developing issues we may detect, like decay and gum disease, before proceeding.
According to the American College of Prosthodontists, some of the most common causes of tooth loss involve decay, gum disease, physical trauma, and poor oral hygiene. Certain systemic health conditions can also increase the risk of missing multiple teeth. For these reasons, it’s essential to know the root of your situation and why you’ll need to restore the gap sooner rather than later.
Other than having difficulty eating and talking, having missing teeth can have several negative impacts on your smile and overall health. Firstly, your remaining pearly whites can start to shift out of place to fill in the gap. You’ll also have a higher risk of experiencing gum recession, jawbone deterioration, facial sagging, and reduced self-esteem.
Generally, most people who are struggling with tooth loss may be eligible for dentures. This tooth-replacement option is also designed for patients who are experiencing decayed or sensitive teeth. For your treatment to work, you’ll need to have healthy and sufficient gum tissue and jawbone structure to support your restorations.
The number of teeth that you’re missing will also influence the kind of dentures you’ll likely receive. Depending on your case, you’ll be able to choose from partial, full, or even implant dentures. This treatment is usually more affordable than other solutions, so it can be ideal for those who are on a budget.
Even if you aren’t eligible for dentures in Green Hills, you might explore alternative treatment options, including:
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We offer a variety of dentures that can address specific dental needs. During your visit with us, we can walk you through the following options and determine which is best for you.
If you have gaps in your smile along with strong and healthy remaining teeth, then partial dentures might be an ideal choice for you. These restorations are designed to secure onto surrounding pearly whites with discreet clasps or brackets like a puzzle piece. This will allow multiple teeth in various locations of your mouth to be rebuilt with a single dental restoration.
Traditional dentures are meant to replace an entire row of missing teeth on the upper, lower, or both arches. Instead of using clasps, these restorations rely mostly on the natural shape and suction of the mouth to remain firmly in place. They’re also crafted to fit your exact bite, so you can expect them to look and feel like your permanent teeth.
Unlike traditional ones, implant dentures are fitted atop dental implants, directly anchoring your new smile to your jawbone. Not only does this prevent accidental slippage, clicking, and the need for adhesives, but it can also prevent facial sagging and further tooth loss. You can also expect to enjoy about 80% or more of your natural biting power, meaning you can enjoy all your favorite foods. Your restorations will be designed to last many years, so you won’t have to worry about needing frequent adjustments or replacements.
With dentures, you can expect to enjoy numerous advantages to your oral health and quality of life, including:
If you’re struggling with extensive tooth loss, then dentures may be the ideal solution for you. With these durable and custom-made restorations, you’ll be able to renew your missing pearly whites and enjoy your full smile again! However, you may be wondering about what to expect from the overall cost of the entire treatment. And just as every patient’s dental situation is different, the prices will also vary significantly from person to person. Our team at Green Hills Dental Center will first assess your oral health, provide you with a price estimate, and then walk you through your financing options to make your treatment more manageable. Read on to learn more about the cost of dentures in Green Hills!
Here are several factors that can influence the overall price of your dentures:
Although it may seem tempting or convenient to opt for lower-priced dentures, this may not be the best way to save on your out-of-pocket expenses. By choosing “more affordable” prosthetics, you’ll typically expect much cheaper materials to be used, meaning your restorations can be easily damaged and may need replacements prematurely. To avoid these complications, you should aim for quality, which will save you money in the long run.
Since implant dentures involve a minor oral surgery and placement procedure, they are generally more expensive than traditional ones. While the treatment is more invasive and has a higher price value, it does come with numerous benefits you won’t find with regular dentures. For example, they won’t shift out of place while eating, as they’ll be directly anchored to your jawbone. Furthermore, they’ll help stimulate your jawbone, providing increased biting strength and stability. This can make your treatment a worthwhile investment, especially since your new pearly whites will be able to last several decades to a lifetime!
Most dental insurance companies will offer coverage for some of the costs of your dentures, as they are considered a major restorative treatment. That said, every policy is different, so you’ll need to double-check the details of your plan with your provider to make sure you can make the most out of your benefits. You can also speak with our knowledgeable dental staff, and we’ll be glad to help you navigate your policy if necessary.
Don’t have dental insurance? That’s fine! We understand that not everyone is covered, which is why we are proud to provide alternative financing options to help with the cost of dentures. Our team offers an in-house membership club plan that can give you a 20% discount on all treatments, including dentures. We also work with Lending Club and CareCredit—both of which offer plans that can break up the cost of your treatment into smaller monthly installments. Many of their options also come with little to no interest, providing a stress-free experience when affording the necessary treatment to restore your smile!
If you’re missing several, most of, or all of your pearly whites, then dentures can be a life-changing solution for your smile. That said, it’s normal to want to be well-informed about your treatment before committing to anything. For this reason, our team at Green Hills Dental Center has compiled and responded to several of the most frequently asked questions about this reliable tooth replacement option. Read on to learn more about dentures in Green Hills or schedule your initial consultation today. Give us a call if you don’t see the information you’re looking for!
You’re most likely to experience some form of discomfort if you require tooth extractions before getting dentures. However, you can easily manage any minor pain by taking over-the-counter and prescribed pain relievers as instructed. Once you begin wearing your dentures, there may be some mild irritation in your mouth (especially your gumline) as you start growing accustomed to your new teeth. This can also occur if you’re switching to a new set of dentures, but the length of the adjustment process will vary from patient to patient. If any discomfort persists or worsens over time, be sure to inform us so that we can make any necessary changes for a proper fit or address any underlying issues.
When first wearing your dentures, it may take some time to adjust to speaking with them since you’ve been accustomed to talking with your natural teeth. This may also be due to muscle memory as your tongue will need to get used to the presence of your prosthetic pearly whites. While the adjustment period for speaking with dentures is unique to every patient, constant practice can generally speed up the process. Make sure to pronounce words, sounds, and phrases repeatedly and read aloud to yourself. You’ll also want to speak slowly at first, as quicker speech can often come out muffled if you’re not used to your dentures yet.
Most dentists highly recommend that you remove your dentures before going to bed. Although you may be instructed to wear them for the first 24 hours after receiving them, you’ll want to take them out overnight after that. By keeping them on, you can end up restricting blood circulation in your gums, which can result in soft tissue irritation and even speed up ridge resorption. If you take them out before bed, you’ll give your gums a chance to recover and receive essential nutrients as you sleep. This will also help prevent bacteria from growing in your mouth or on your dentures, as dark and moist areas are the perfect environment for them to grow. Be sure to soak your restorations in a glass of water overnight to keep them fresh and germ-free!
Tougher meats such as steaks can be challenging to chew with dentures. That said, you might still enjoy these foods if you take the proper precautions. Try sticking to steaks that don’t contain so many fibers or connective tissues, such as tenderloin. Make sure the meat is completely tenderized and that you cut it into tiny, more manageable pieces. This way you can enjoy your meal while avoiding the need to chew frequently.